Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category

Hillsborough, NC - 07/05/08 - Hillsborough Farmers Market


When
Saturday, July 5, 2008
10:00am - Solo - All Ages
Where
128 N Churton Street
Hillsborough, NC, USA 27278

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A Partial Capo Is Not A Weapon

Gotta share this because it’s just too weird. I went on vacation to Europe a couple weeks ago (the day after the Berkeley show, actually) and on the way home I had to check my guitar as baggage. When I finally got it back at the end of my trip, some gear from the little box compartment inside was loose in the case, indicating that it had been rifled through by security people.

Two items were missing: a partial capo and an empty tin of ginger Altoids which I use to store metal fingerpicks. I’ve had my string clippers taken from me in the past because, ok, they are technically a kind of scissor. But how is a tiny round clamp with rubber on the ends a safety hazard?

Maybe my banjo fingerpicks looked like claws, but come on, they were in a piece of checked luggage. Even if it were possible to harm someone with fingerpicks or a capo, I couldn’t have gotten to them during the flight.

I think what really happened was my baggage screener in Poland was a part-time folk musician and couldn’t resist lifting some shwag when he saw my supercool partial capo and ginger-scented picks.

Or maybe it’s the ghost of John Fahey trying to get me to retune my guitar to DADGAD instead of using capo gadgets to simulate the effect. Phantom folk purists and air security personnel, I defy you both!

I ordered replacement gear from Elderly Music today and the next time I fly overseas, I’m carrying it on board in my pocket.

Chapel Hill, NC - 07/03/08


When
Thursday, July 3, 2008
7:30pm - Solo - 18 +
Where
452 1/2 West Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC, USA 27516
Other Info
Featured act at Brandon Herndon & John Pardue's Songslingers Showcase. I'm playing a 20-30 minute solo set. There's no cover, they'll just pass the hat.

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Translator Fun

You can now translate my whole website instantly by clicking one of the flags on the right. Yes, I have way too much time on my hands.

Berkeley Cafe Show

Tad Dreis band, Berkeley Cafe

At the WKNC radio interview last Friday, a certain record producer of some stature requested MY opinion of home vs. studio recording. Woo! Later that evening, I had a blast listening to how we all sounded through the big rock club speakers. Kind of awesome to hear it in full color after rehearsing in my living room through a practice amp. I was a little distracted actually, just listening to the band rocking, but I don’t think I missed any lyrics too badly.

Pinch hitter Jack Hill carried the day on bass, and here’s a ticker tape welcome home for Hugh Swaso, who has played guitar with me a number of times in smaller settings, but never on the big stage. Finally, drummer Rob DiMauro brought both Bonham and Copeland to mind while employing mostly brushes and hotrod bundles, which is to say I hardly ever have him use normal sticks and yet he brings the rock, and smart.

And of course big thanks to Don Dixon, Jamie Hoover, and Jim Brock for having us open and being gracious and cool guys, and to Marianne Taylor for setting up the show, and for working hard in general to put on great Americana shows for Triangle twang and roots fans.

The picture above appears courtesy of Merch Mike.

Raleigh, NC - 06/13/08


When
Friday, June 13, 2008
9:00pm - Band - All Ages Buy Tickets
Where
217 W Martin St

Raleigh, NC, USA 27601
Other Info
Band show, opening for Don Dixon & The Jump Rabbits!

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WKNC Interview & Raleigh Show Tonight

Tonight I play with my band at the Berkeley Cafe, and before the show, sometime between 5 and 6 this evening (Friday June 13) I’ll be live on the air at WKNC 88.1 FM in Raleigh, North Carolina. You can listen online at wknc.org. It’s primarily an interview with the show headliner Don Dixon, the legendary producer and musician, but I’m pretty sure you’ll hear my voice and even a little live music from me, too.

It’s the Local Beat show with DJ Hand Banana (no pun intended). Afterwards, we’re off to soundcheck at the club. I’m opening with my band, so come early at 9! Doors open at 8 and tickets are $15. I know, I know, pricey for a Tad show, but just remember all those coffeehouse shows you never had to pay for and add them up…

Arbor Ridge Studios



I’ve been doing some sessions recording at Jeff Crawford’s Arbor Ridge Studios, and you can hear an instrumental track for “The Makeup Company” over at his site. In this picture, I’m getting ready to record a nylon string guitar track for the song “Telephone.” Apparently I frown when I tune. In the background you can see the blankets and comforters Jeff hung all over the vocal booth to deaden it. It’s pretty cozy in there. I like recording, but it is hard work and, as evidenced by the green bottles overflowing the studio’s recycling bin, it can drive a man to drink Sun Drop.

Telephone Pictionary Song

Hey folks, I was just going through my archives and found this live recording from 2006 of me at Bridgewater College. I had the audience play a word/picture game called Telephone Pictionary, then I sang their handwritten results to produce this, um, classic piece of music?

Lyrics Generated By Audience At Bridgewater College (Which I’m Reading With Difficulty Off A Handwritten Page They Wrote)

Enjoy!

Download Store Open

My three albums have been on iTunes for awhile, but now you can actually buy MP3s directly from me here at my website’s Music page, which is a better deal for the artist (me). Each song is $1, or you can pick up a whole album for $10, using PayPal or a credit card. A download link will immediately be emailed to you by my online team of elves, and in no time, you will have digital Tad Dreis music on your computer. Let the buying begin!